Miliatry vs Endura

D

Dr. Pepper

Joined
Sep 26, 2006
Messages
167
Is the Miltary really worth the price difference over the Endura? I have neither but am working on fixing that problem.
 
Looking at the prices, I don't think you'll get "twice the knife" in the Millie compared to the Endura, but it is a better knife to me. I would recommend either knife, but if you're willing to spend the cash I think a Military is worth it. Better grind, G10 handles, longer blade, better blade steel than the standard Endura, better ergonomics and open construction means easier cleaning.

However the Endura has a wider variety of scale and blade steel options, is lighter if you get the FRN version, has a backlock which some prefer to a liner lock, comes in a waved version and is a tough, reliable package all around.

Can't go wrong with either one. Just go with whatever design appeals to you most. A few other to consider would be the Manix, Chinook, Centofante 3 and D'allara.

I just posted a review of the Military - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=501350
 
Virtually impossible to answer!

It is a totally different knife design. Pretty much nothing in common besides the company that makes them.... and the sharpness perhaps :-)

As far as the Mili is "worth" more...you can only answer this for yourself :-), but the Mili is a damn fine knife with fine materials....and it's made in Golden. It is well worth its price (as is the Endura).

I suggest you buy one and figure it out handling both! (I did... :cool:)


Dennis
 
Military: tip down carry only.

Endura: tip up or tip down.

For me, this fact alone gives the Endura the win, as I no longer do tip down. :thumbup:

cheers
 
I do have a Centofante III though. I really like it but it doesn't feel very strong. I also really like VG10. I presume that both the Endura and Milatry are tougher?
 
I guess my more direct question is how do the Centofante III and Endura compare under hard but not abusive use?
 
Both will perform, but as you say, the Cento is built less strong than the Endura which has double steel liners and is designed quite a bit sturdier. Take the handle pattern, for example. Nearly impossible to slip off that handle. The Centofante is smoother and might cause problems when used hard with wet/cold hands.

If you like to feel a solidly built, compact and strong knife in your hand, the Endura will be right for you. I play around with mine right now and it is all that. Plus, you can't go wrong for its price. The Mili is a bit more of an investment.

Dennis
 
I'd choose the Endura as I like the more stout tip, but I'd go for a SS version. I find my SS Delica is a very rugged piece for the money.
 
I think the Military is better in every respect except the lock. Based on that, I would go with the Endura.
 
You can go with the Endura and have Tom Krein regrind it to have a blade profile almost identical to a Military (that is what I had done to my ZDP Endura). I prefer the backlock on the Endura, but as an overall package the Military is hard to beat. For me the ergonomics are top notch, the G-10 is very grippy, and the blade profile and geometry are very good for a blade of it's size.

Mike
 
ElectricZombie said:
I think the Military is better in every respect except the lock. Based on that, I would go with the Endura.
Click to expand...

LMFAO!!! That's the FUNNIEST thing I've ever read!

The Military is better in every respect except the lock. With this reasoning, you should get the Endura instead. :D:D:D:D:D



Lol!
 
Dr. Pepper said:
I guess my more direct question is how do the Centofante III and Endura compare under hard but not abusive use?
Click to expand...

The Centofante 4 has nested steel liners, as does the Endura 4.

The Centofante 3 IIRC was FRN only.
(As was the Endura 3.)
 
The Mili better IMO. I cut with the edge so a liner lock is fine for me. As soon as I start cutting with the spine I will worry about the strength of a liner lock. ;)

Handle both, its hard to go wrong with a Spydie. I'm just a huge fan of full flat grinds, and full serrated edges.
 
FRN Endura is one of the best deals in folders. I certainly have a hard time when I was comparing my SS Byrd Crossbill to my SS Police and realizing that the Police was 4 times the cash.

Really I would go with the Manix rather than the Military as I prefer backlocks even though Spyderco does a good linerlock. If I was comparing the Manix or Chinook3(which I have) to the Endura for someone else I would say no way is the steel difference you probably won't notice and the G10 and grind which is not very important overall going to make it worth the extra money.
When it comes to myself though I am an idiot when it comes to knives and want the best even if it does cost 4 times as much for differences only 1 in a thousand people would notice.
 
I cant comment on the Military since I don't own one, but the Endura is a lot of knife for the money IMO. I have a waved Endura 4 and I find myself carrying it more than any other knife I own. If you can afford it, buy both!
 
i'll say this. i was in love with the military and it was at the top of my list for months. when i finally got my hands on one, i'm sorry to say i was underwhlemed. it's better with respect to the high grind...that's about it for me. otherwise, i prefer the delica in every other respect: slim profile, comfy grip, highly textrured, vg-10, managable size. the mili's grip is what really didn't do it for me.

i'd bring the g-10 cara cara into the comparison, but i don't want to get flamed. Mili's a great knife, though. not my taste.
 
I STILL carry the MILLIE (the lock is fine for me; not great but useable).

The Millie snaps out :cool:; my (OLD) Endura does not. It just CLICKS out with a full roll on the thumb - all the way to the lock position. Like MY G-10 NEW CIVILIAN (;)) which also clicks out with the thumb roll all the way. :thumbdn: Impressive blade - but I still carry the MILLIE!

Honestly, I can NOT believe the way the MILLIE cuts (serrated) against my (old) serrated Endura. :D

Now there is an option I'd really look when comparing the MILLIE/Endura. That is the ENDURA in ZDP steel serrated - if I did not want to spend the money on the MILLIE: But, as for me, frankly, I'd still buy the MILLIE, PERIOD. :D
 
The Endura is a great knife, love it, have a few, but get the Millie if you can swing it and don't mind tip down carry. It is a pocket powerhouse.
 
Speaking from experience, you'll probably buy them both. I have one of the first Enduras SE. I retired it, not because it wasn't sharp, because of the plastic clip(Ididn't want to chance loosing it). VG10 is a great steel on the Endura (Great value for the dollar-Like the D'Allara).

The Military,IMHO, is a love at first sight knife. S30V is an awesome steel. I have a few S30V knives(CR Sabenza, etc) and I love the steel. (VG10 is easy to put an edge on. S30V isn't that difficult either). The Military is one of those knives you look for stuff to cut with. The negative, once you pull it out, everybody at the camp sight wants to use it. I have had very good experiences with Spyderco liner locks.

I am actually in the same boat. I just purchase the POLICE SE and Karambit. The Endura and Military are next on the list. I might try the CPM D2/Green G-10 or the CFBG42. My experience with the Military is borrowing the knife and the reviews I've read here. I'll give both a try.
 
Vivi said:
Looking at the prices, I don't think you'll get "twice the knife" in the Millie compared to the Endura, but it is a better knife to me. I would recommend either knife, but if you're willing to spend the cash I think a Military is worth it. Better grind, G10 handles, longer blade, better blade steel than the standard Endura, better ergonomics and open construction means easier cleaning.

However the Endura has a wider variety of scale and blade steel options, is lighter if you get the FRN version, has a backlock which some prefer to a liner lock, comes in a waved version and is a tough, reliable package all around.

Can't go wrong with either one. Just go with whatever design appeals to you most. A few other to consider would be the Manix, Chinook, Centofante 3 and D'allara.

I just posted a review of the Military - http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=501350
Click to expand...

Vivi has it right on, you wont get twice the knife in the mili. However I do like the lighter weight and the bigger handle. But its hard to say you can get it better steel anymore, as you can get an Endura in ZDP for very reasonable. I really like the choil to choke up on with the mili, and the finer point. Now you may not like the liner lock, but I have stabbed with it and pryed and not had a failure, but thats me.....and I know what i ma doing;)
 
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